Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-03

supposes that any man is competent to
write textbook; third, the writer
utter lack of proper knowledge of the
wants of the public schools of Texas.
These, perceive, to be serious objec-
tions, for it Is a well established fact that
an inferior textbook can be published
much cheaper than one of best quality
snd if cost is to be the basis of selection it
seems quite probable that poor system
will be forced upon Us.
As to second objection, it is fact fully
established that but few men are adapted
to the work of writing textbooks, and
most OF them only after long experience
in actual school work.
1t appesrs that the governor would have
but little idea of who could write book,
and the chances are that the result would
/ be novel IN the textbook line.
The third objection is very apparent
from the single selection made by the
writer of said article, namely: Forcing
the use of Webster's elementary speller,
more generally known as the "old blue
back" l believe | am safe in saying that
every progressive teacher in Texas
has repudiated said speller as totally un-
suited for any system of schools
While much may be said in favor of uni
tormity Of textbooks, yet there are
serious objections to any system 1t will
narrow the preparation and investigation
of teachers to the system adopted; will
also throw the general education of the
state in too narrow q channel, and besides
one series of books is not sufficient in
many instances 1t would cut Texas off
from the best talent on text books,
Perhaps Cllifornia's experience in pub
fishing books for that state would be val
liable reading matter for many of the sup
porterS OF the uniform syst IN. The teachers
and patrons have worked long and faith
fully to make the public schools of the
state, success, and the legislature should
handle with care subject of su1h vital
Importance to the school system
Uniformity maybe desired, but mis-
taketln that direction would be fatal to
tne present progress of the work. Some
OF the papers are making q
grand display in trying to show
yaat Texas spends about So 600. 900 each
year unnecessarily for text books.
fdt ~ any one to prove said assertion.
IS My observation has been that too few
books are bought instead of too many,
sahd that the greatest noise comes from
the ones whofb6ythe fewest books. You
caufDdt thensaLds of families who do not
take d single paper, magazine or any
thing of that nature, nor can you
find single interesting book
for children in all that household. II you
ak them to furnish their children with
proper books for school they refer you to
Webster's spoilers and set up tremen-
dous howl if you require anything else
And yet there are papers in the state that
parade the $2,000,O0O before their aders
and claim that the teachers force patrons
to squander nearly said amount. Every
parent should investigate this textbook
question, and if they do without prejudice
they will be astonished at the amount of
noise made over nothing. l
am for that which is best for the
school, let 1t be what it may; but 1 claim
that the text book question demands in
vestigation, far more than it has had, be-
fore uniformity is thrust upon US.
Yours fer the truth, DIXIE.